INDIANAPOLIS —
In an environment resembling more of a pep rally than a traditional press conference, pro soccer is headed back to Indiana.
The standing room only crowd at the news conference Wednesday at the J.W. Marriott in downtown Indianapolis heard details of the creation of a team in the North American Soccer League (NASL).
Indianapolis’ team became the 12th franchise to join the NASL and will begin play starting with the 2014 season.
For the initial season, home games will look to be played at Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium at IUPUI.
Ersal Ozdemir, chief executive officer of the Keystone Group LLC, owns the franchise.
“I wanted to make sure that this wasn’t a short-term, quick decision and that we have a lot of support and interest moving forward,” Ozdemir said.
Indianapolis having hosted the 1987 Pan-Am Games and 2012 Super Bowl are both examples of how the city has gained more recognition globally. Bringing the world’s most popular sport to the Circle City hopefully means another notch in Indianapolis’ belt.
“This was a city, leaders over 30 years ago decided was going to be a sports town,” Ozdemir said. “As we are trying to be a more global city and state, this is one of the pieces that fit into the mission of being a sports town.”
No team name or colors have been selected yet as the franchise is having choices voted on on their website at IndyProSoccer.com.
The survey allows for soccer fans to choose between Indianapolis Athletic, Indianapolis Majestic, Indianapolis Speed, Indianapolis United, or a write-in name. The survey is also taking recommendations for the team’s colors.
Peter Wilt, a soccer consultant to the franchise, will be named the team’s president. Wilt will look to hire coaches by the end of 2013 and the roster will be acquired once the coaching staff is in place. The players will be acquired through free agency, trades, and tryouts.
The team will be composed of players from all over the world, although Wilt said there will be “a large number of Indiana natives.”
“It’s important that this team is connected to Indiana,” he said.
Season tickets are currently on sale at IndyProSoccer.com. A $25 deposit will reserve a single season ticket for 2014 and will secure a priority seat selection number that will determine where the fan selects later this year.
Season tickets range from $135 to $390 for 15 home games. Individual tickets will range from $10 to $30.
“Individual tickets are being priced at a reasonable level,” Wilt said. “It’s very important that this is affordable for families.”
As Indianapolis’ pro soccer team prepares for the pitch in 2014, Ozdemir is excited for what is ahead.
“I’m very confident that this is going to be a great team that you’re going to enjoy it,” he said. “And I commit to all of you here and the rest of the state that we will do whatever it takes to make this team a great team that you will be proud of for years to come.”
Sports
Related Photos
-
Ersal Ozdemir, owner of the new Indianapolis pro soccer team in the North American Soccer League, discusses the team coming to Indianapolis. Justin Whitaker/Flyer Photo
Discussion
Pro soccer coming back to Indy
- Sports
-
-
Quakers advance to sectional final
MARTINSVILLE — For the second night in a row, the Plainfield Quakers softball team 10-run ruled a sectional opponent in the fifth inning. After downing Martinsville 12-1 Monday night, Plainfield came back and dispatched Mooresville 13-2.
-
Took a second, but Orioles caught fire
INDIANAPOLIS — For five innings it appeared the Avon softball team was stuck in neutral.
-
Bruins bounce Hornets
TRAFALGAR — The Tri-West Bruins advanced to tomorrow night’s sectional championship after defeating the Beech Grove Hornets 8-3 behind the bat of Kristy Rawlings. Rawlings had an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth inning that tied the game at two and followed up on her next trip to the plate with a 2 RBI triple that put the Hornets away for good.
-
Patriots dominant in win
BROWNSBURG — Behind an aggressive offense and solid defense, the Bethesda softball team made some serious noise in its Class A Sectional 58 opener, defeating University 15-1 Tuesday night.
-
Bulldogs let opener slip away
INDIANAPOLIS — Brownsburg’s softball team had the game in hand, but let it slip away.
-
Sports Briefs
County golf, regional track and regional tennis updates
-
Bruins cruise to victory
TRAFALGAR — The Tri-West Bruins and Danville Warriors softball teams met yet again Monday night at Indian Creek High School for the first round of Sectional 27 in the IHSAA 3A softball tournament.
-
Quakers derail Artesians
MARTINSVILLE — Plainfield coach Brad Beaman has told his team all season they needed to play a complete, all-around game and Monday night the Quakers did just that. The defending Class 4A state softball champions rose to the occasion and defeated host Martinsville by the 10-run rule, 12-1.
-
Hometown Carpenter wins pole for 97th Indianapolis 500
SPEEDWAY — Ed Carpenter channeled his inner David as he slayed the Goliath teams of Andretti Autosport and Team Penske Saturday for the pole position of the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500.
-
Orioles net tennis title
AVON — Winning three matches in four days while overcoming three county rivals, one conference foe and a spot of weather, the Avon Orioles girls’ tennis team won their first sectional title since 2006. Avon won its three matches by a combined 14-1 record and downed Plainfield 5-0 in the finals early Saturday afternoon.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
